Charts, maps and infographics

Twilight of the Twinkies

Choked up

A BOX of ten Twinkies typically sells for around $5 in American supermarkets—but that was before its maker, Hostess Brands, began closing its bakeries and liquidating its business (as an article in this week's issue explains). Yet consumers in search of revolting cream-filled sponge cakes can still buy them from eBay for anything ranging from 40 cents to $100,000 apiece. The mean price on offer is around $2,000 (though we don't know how many have actually been sold or at what price), while the mode—ie, the most common price on offer—is $3 (see chart). Although some sellers are using the limited supply as an opportunity to raise money for charity, the majority are hoping to profit from the iconic American brand’s collapse. For those who can not live without the golden cakes, eBay also lists Twinkies "bake sets" for as little as $30; together with the recipe for $1.49, consumers can simply bake their own. With such outpouring of affection, the "Twinkie" brand (along with Hostess's other food-like snacks) might yet find a buyer.

I can not remember how many years it has been since I purchased or consumed a Hostess product. They are mostly low quality disgusting products which cost a little bit less than less-disgusting items. I can assure our EU friends that I have seen/consumed similar "quality" products in Europe but that is another story . . .

But people do consume them (yuck!) and the 19k people who are now out of work seem to be an issue, although they seem to have chosen to lose their jobs. There was nothing to actually stop the individuals from returning to work if they disagreed with the Union "Leadership." Except perhaps union thugs. No pity except for their families.

I saw the Hostess CEO on TV this week and he intends to sell the brands to other investors so I think people will still be able to feed their diabetes and heart disease. The Hostess factories and workers will not be required.

Idiots! The end of the world is coming. Need you further proof? Hostess is closing its doors! The Twinkie is the only American food the can survive a nuclear Holocaust. The elites have cornered the market and are bunkered down. For God's sake, open your eyes. The end is upon us. WE'RE ALL DOOMED!!!

Good. Let's hope Twinkies aren't saved and foisted on the rest of the world. Anything that stops the cheap quality crap products coming out of America will help us all avoid the obesity and diabetes epidemic that that country has...never mind the disgusting taste. Are Twinkies classed as food by the FDA or food analogues?

And can the unions at Hershey's do the same please. It's not even chocolate. Its chocolaty. What crap that country makes....just to put cost cutting above quality. Have those obese and diabetic people got no taste? Have their leaders got no conscience!

Ahhh, I see the comments here are full of pretentious types.
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I do not eat twinkies/junk food/processed foods, but they have their place and there is definitely a market for them, for the price and quality a lot of "process foods" do a perfectly fine job. If anything they are more a testament to the marvels of efficiency and technology that such things can be produced in such large quantities at such a quality level at a low price that enables consumers to enjoy a truly large variety and choice.
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I agree with the crap comment. Hostess' and Hershey's products are both sickening, and I never purchase them. But Bimbo and VanKamp also produce crap. I think there is a big market for crap.

But I have consumed crap products across France, Germany, the U.K., and other EU countries. One example is the putrid "Orange Juice" drinks available throughout the E.U. They are uniformly disgusting, barely hint at "orange" and have a chemical after-taste. Even when labeled "Orange Juice" their flavor is inferior to Tang, the definition of chemical-taste. Perhaps I feel this way because I am from orange-growing territory, the same way that a Frenchman from the wine-growing regions might feel about other countrie's wines?

This is a spectacular example of lacking perspective on current events. As Hostess goes through liquidation, the Twinkies brand (as an asset of the company) has value and will no doubt be sold to someone who will resume manufacturing these... things. [I can't really call them food, since I'm not convinced there are any actual organic substances involved in their production.]
The idea that anyone might be both wealthy enough and deranged enough to pay some of the prices being asked at this time reminds me of an old Dilbert cartoon, wherein Bob the dinosaur is meting out punishment (in the form of wedgies) to those deserving such treatment, while translating marketing hogwash into English:
"Market segmentation is the key" says the marketer.
"Don't improve your product, get stupider customers" translates Bob.

The FDA will rubber stamp anything just as long as it contributes to the GDP. The designer drugs filled the hypochondriac niche and make money coming and gong. It starts with the advertisements and ends with the class action suits. A sucker's born every minute, and the American consumer is proof. You know who the marketers target here? Women and children, explains the divorce laws too. America's not in love with feminism. Woman just make the best consumers is all. Now get back in your cubicles ladies. There's plenty of work to keep you all busy.

PS - How's that theme song from the old Mary Tyler Moore show go? Me thinks you've all been had. The old bait and switch. Drop the bread winner. Here's a cubicle...laughs